Inspirational Social Work alumni
Brunel’s Social Work graduates go on achieve great things in their communities and beyond.
Marcella Phelan MBE is a former Brunel graduate who is currently Assistant Director of Children’s Services in Ealing Council. Marcella has led on the development of services, rated by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding’, such as the Horizons Centre for care leavers which has an excellent track-record of supporting Ealing’s looked-after children to do well in education, employment or training once they leave care. For her work in Ealing Children’s Services for almost 20 years, Marcella received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours 2018 for Services to Young People.
Another success story is Lisa Colombi (Social Work MA, 2011) who has progressed from being a case manager to Team Leader for Wiltshire Council's Youth Offending Team. She now line-manages staff – some of whom are social workers – and also conducts quality assurance and oversight for her lead areas, which include safeguarding and youth court. Lisa recently came back to Brunel to give a presentation to our students sharing her knowledge about approaches to assessment of risk, analysing behaviour and managing risk as part of a multi-agency approach.
The New Zealand Social Work Registration Board accepted my MA in Social Work from Brunel University London without any additional training or exams.
Terry, Postgraduate, Alumni
Without my BA in Social Work I wouldn’t have been able to get my role in Australia nor would I have been placed on the Australia Skills List.
This degree is an intensive course, which combines coursework, exams, placement, and the final hurdle of the course - completing a dissertation project.
I would highly recommend Brunel - it is a great and inclusive place, with great people and an innovative, cutting edge, critical approach to learning and personal development.
Public & Social Administration MA / Professional Social Work Qualification / Government, Politics & Modern History BSc
When I was doing my placement I had an opportunity to research and do placement with people with learning disabilities.
Kwaku, Postgraduate, Alumni
The lecturers at Brunel are specialists in their field, so I've been able to work with people who published and actually done the job, or researched the area I am interested in.
Take a look at some other recent students making their mark in the world of social work:
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